The Alternative Medicine & Natural Health Newsletter is sponsored by

ALTERNATIVE HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICES (AHIS).

April 2005

Since 1985, AHIS has helped businesses and individuals find the best value in health insurance with an emphasis on coverage for alternative medicine and natural therapies. Please visit www.AlternativeInsurance.com to learn about options for your personal or group health insurance.

Green Tea May Curb Prostate Cancer in Men at Risk
According to a Reuters Health article, research from the University of Parma, presented at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting, indicates that green tea catechins (GTC) may prevent the development of prostate cancer in men with a pre-cancerous condition called high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. The study involved 62 patients provided with either 600 milligrams of catechins daily or a placebo, and the rate of prostate cancer incidence was 3% but 30% in the placebo group.
Internet Resources:
Reuters Health Article

 Traditional Medicine Derivatives Kill Cancer Cells
According to a Reuters Health article, researchers from the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, in a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, report on the mechanism of action of derivatives of the indirubin, a compound found in the traditional Chinese medicine, Danggui Longhui Wan. The Chinese herb is used to treat leukemia, and in the current study, the researchers discovered that the compounds induce breast and prostate cancer cells to shut down and die by inhibiting a signaling pathway, known as Src-Stat3.
Internet Resources:
Reuters Health article

Study Examines vitamin D and Sun Effect for Lung Cancer Survival
According to a Reuters article on Yahoo News, results of a Harvard study indicate that patients with high levels of vitamin D, who had surgery in sunny months, had an increased survival rate for lung cancer, compared to those who had low levels of vitamin D and how had surgery in the winter.
Internet Resources:
Reuters article on Yahoo News

Vitamin E Loss Through Smoking Increases Health Risks
[2005/04/15][Oregon State University]
Controlled study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that that the blood plasma levels of Vitamin E dropped 13 percent faster among smokers than among the non-smokers.

Vitamins E and C are Safe Across a Broad Range of Intakes
According to a review article published in the April issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 81, No. 4, 736-745, April 2005) concludes from clinical trial evidence that vitamin E supplements appear safe for most adults in amounts less than 1600 IU and vitamin C supplements under 2000mg per day are safe for most adults.
Internet Resources:
Article in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Chocolate compound stops cancer cell cycle in lab
A natural compound found in cocoa appears to deactivate a number of proteins that likely cause cancer growth... Read

Fish oil, vitamin supplement cuts need for drugs in bowel disease
A supplement of fish oil, soluble fibre and vitamins and antioxidants reduces the need for steroids in ulcerative colitis patients... Read

RightPlans from Blue Cross and the Choice Saver Plus programs from Nationwide Health Plans Provide Best Value in Health Insurance

The Blue Cross RightPlans are lower priced plans with NO DEDUCTIBLE. Benefits include coverage for Chiropractic (12 visits per year) and Acupuncture/Acupressure (24 visits per year) as well as preventive care.

The RightPlans can protect your health and financial security from unexpected accidents or illness, give you immediate access to services, AND still be affordable. You may select from several prescription options that will vary your costs.

The Nationwide Choice Saver plans also offer reasonable monthly costs. In contrast to the RightPlans, the Choice Saver plans have a higher deductible to meet initially, but your maximum "out-of-pocket" costs are less.

For example, if you had a costly illness or accident and are insured on the RightPlan, the most you would be responsible to pay in a year would be $7,500, with no deductible to meet. After that, the plan would pay 100% of your eligible medical expenses for the remainder of that year. With the Choice Saver plan, you would only be responsible for your selected deductible ($1,750, $2,400, or $4,800). Once you paid that amount, the Choice Saver plan would cover 100% of your expenses for the rest of the year, so you would have less potential financial exposure. These figures are based on individual coverage. If you are also insuring any dependents, your maximum "out-of-pocket" expenses would be greater.

The Choice Saver plans also qualify as Health Savings Account plans, where you can use tax-free savings to pay for many medical expenses, including Alternative Medicine. Dental and vision options are also available. For more details on Health Savings Accounts, please visit our website at http://www.alternativeinsurance.com/html/healthsavings.htm.

Steve Gorman